News from Michigan

[Lurker Carl]

Hey guys,

I'm still here in Detroit, trying to get my uncle stabilized in assisted living and clean up his house. He has been diagnosed with early Alzheimer's. He drove to a local hospital because of bleeding sores on his legs (poor circulation) and the hospital couldn't get any contact info from him. Five days after admitting him, he remembered my name and a nurse tracked me down.

When I talked to my uncle on the phone, he wasn't quite sure where he was or how he got there. Buzzard Wing was kind enough to contact his family in this area and they located his car in the hospital parking lot before I even left for Detroit, big relief! You know it's a small world when a guy in MD chats with a guy in RI who emails his sister in MI and finds a car in a hospital parking lot within 24 hours. Thanks, Buzz.

In the meantime, I'm busy picking up several months worth of mail, newspapers, garbage and Meal-On-Wheels strewn all over the house plus performing some household repairs and getting some bills paid. It looks like he ransacked his own house. Every horizontal surface, especially the floor, has stuff spread or piled on it.

He's been transferred to an assisted living home until his legs heal and geriatic specialists can assess his physical and mental condition. He scared, doesn't know what's happening and is worried about his car and house and the future in general. But he's relieved about not having to do daily chores everyone else takes for granted. I'm moving him to Baltimore sometime this spring so he's close by.

So, I found that Panera Bread cafes have WiFi so here I am for some lunch and a bit of contact with the outside world. My uncle's house is very retro - it's 1960 here for me. Burnt orange wall to wall carpet, harvest gold paint, pink and black tile bathroom and genuine Western Electric telephones. Rotary dial service with a party line and no long distance carrier, 5 channels on TV (depending on the weather) and my cell phone is running out of minutes. At least now I can get a link to the rest of the world!

That's the news for now. See y'all later

Carl

[Kodiak]

Carl,
It's good to hear from you. Sounds like things are going as best they can. You know we're out here if you need anything just ask. Sombody will Buzz in and help out!

Ron

[Bruce Sanford]

Carl!

Me and the little woman went through that with her father, a few years back. Sad to say he passed 2 Jan.It can be pretty rough.
It is not and was not an easy task. I think he will require lots of support.
I have a lot of respect for the care givers as well. Bruce

[Don McCombs]

Carl,

You're a good man and a good nephew. Unfortunately, there are a lot of people who would say "Not my problem" and walk away. God bless you.

[DuxburyFarmall]

Carl,

My wife's grandmother recently passed away after a couple of years with alzheimers.

It is a tough disease that takes the person away even though they are still there.

My wife and I extend our thoughts and prayers to you and your family.

Chad

[beaconlight]

Well done thou good and faithful servant, to quote a good book. Glad to see you have your uncles back and other cubbers have yours.

Bill

[Donny M]

Way to go Carl I'm going to have to find a bigger stump for you

[John *.?-!.* cub owner]

Carl, there isn't much else I can do but keep you and your Uncle in our thoughts and prayers. My hat is off to you for what you are doing.

[jim turner]

Carl you are a good man keep the faith there wil be better times ahead I'm sure of it.

[400lbsonacubseatspring]

Carl,

For all that they were to us in years long gone by, we owe them something when they cannot care for themselves. There are limits to what we can do, however, and not lose ourselves in the process.

Be sure that both you, physically, and your conscience can live with each decision you make, and that means taking things slowly, my friend.

As you may or may not know, my late wife died alone in a nursing home, after living there for six months, as I could no longer care for her at home.

Trying to put yourself in your loved one's position, when they were in their right mind will help.

All life is filled with suffering.
Suffering comes from trying to change the unchangeable.
There are ways to overcome this.
All people deserve, and strive for happiness.

Just a little buddhist wisdom that seems to apply here.

Godspeed, my friend,

Tom

[cowboy]

This is from my Aunt


Glad your Girl Scout camping weekend was SAFE & fun for ALL - except for sleeping on mats (those days are lonnnnggg gone).
Sorry your buddy's Michigan visit isn't for pleasure. It is indeed a sad and sorry situation. His Uncle is lucky to HAVE a relative that CARES. The other fellow "Tom" had very heartfelt advise = THERE ARE LIMITS TO WHAT WE CAN DO.... TAKE IT SLOWLY..... ALL LIFE IS FILLED WITH SUFFERING. SUFFERING COMES FROM TRYING TO CHANGE THE UNCHANGEABLE. There is a great deal of knowledge, experience and wisdom in his words. "Hear" what he says.
Your offer to lend a hand to "Carl" was touching. Keep your CubBuddy's close. You're all good FOR each other.
For me, it means a lot that you visit Grandma and keep me updated. Thank you verrryyy much dear nephew. We also appreciate your emails. Keep YOU s-a-f-e & good too!


Billy

[Bigdog]

Carl, like so many others have stated, it is a noble thing that you are doing. I know how hard it must be for you to go through all you are facing but remember that we are here if you need help.
God Bless!

[John(videodoc)]

Ditto as to what the Big Dog said, we may not be there physically, but we are there with you, in one way or another. john

[Rudi]

Carl:

Ditto to everything the guys have said so far, can't say it any better.

Just take care of yourself, Keep Cathy in the loop and we SHALL keep you in our prayers as you take upon this task..

The Lord puts us in the place that HE wants us to be... so there is a rhyme and a reason. You are a good man, and I know your uncle knows it as well.

Keep us posted k?

[W6NZ]

Unfortunately, there are a lot of people who would say "Not my problem" and walk away. God bless you;

Amen to that.